Mike Pompeo slams China's aggressive behaviour, uses Galwan valley face-off as reference

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized China for its aggressive and expansionist attitude which has created tensions in South East Asian region and its impacts across world. Secretary Pompeo's remarks came at Copenhn Democracy Summit which was held virtually.

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Pompeo's heavy criticism on China

Pompeo referenced incident along Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Galwan Valley in Ladakh earlier this week, which resulted in death of at least 20 Indian Army personnel and detained 10 personnel after over a day. " PLA has escalated border tensions – we see it today in India, world’s most popular – populous democracy.  And we watch as it militarizes South China Sea and illegally claims more territory re, threatening vital sea lanes, a promise y broke again," Pompeo said.

During his address, Pompeo mentioned how China has become a world power, attracting investments from businesses and governments from across world, including himself. However, Pompeo went on to add that over time, promise waned since Chines Communist Party took over and has been breaking multiple international agreements whilst suspending democratic values, starting with automy of Hong Kong. 

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He went on to list how China has bullied World Health Organisation (WHO) and to hide details about coronavirus, which has disrupted world and has claimed more than 462,000 lives. 

Pompeo went on to state how China is waging cyber wars against countries, with latest suspect being Australia, adding debts on countries, forcing m to depend on China. " Chinese Communist Party decreed an end to freedom in Hong Kong, violating an UN-registered treaty and rights of its citizens – one of just many international treaties that Chinese Communist Party has violated. General Secretary Xi has greenlighted a brutal campaign of repression against Chinese Muslims, a human rights violation on a scale we have t seen since World War II," Pompeo said.

Pompeo raised how countries in Europe were forced to choose between USA and China, adding extra pressure on m. He added it's t a choice between two superpowers, but between "freedom and tyranny."

READ: China Reiterates Sovereignty Claim On Galwan Valley; Accuses Indian Army Of Crossing LAC

Galwan valley incident

20 Indian Army soldiers including Commanding Officer were martyred when a violent faceoff took place on Monday night when de-escalation process was underway in Galwan Valley. As per US intelligence reports, Chinese side has suffered 35 casualties including a Commanding officer, during physical clash. Sources revealed that an Indian colonel was attacked by Chinese Army personnel with iron rods without any provocation leading to hand-to-hand combat. While three soldiers were killed in action, 17 or are said to have succumbed to ir injuries and hypormia, four ors are in critical but stable condition, while 72 ors are recuperating from mir injuries at various hospitals. Currently, both countries have disengd at LAC, while talks via diplomatic channels and Army-level.

READ: 'We Need Ran Neethi, t Raj Neethi': KCR To PM Modi On Face-off In Galwan Valley